Changes have been announced that First Bus Bristol are changing the 24 bus route between Ashton vale and Southmead Hospital. The changes being introduced on 15th September 2019 involve a double decker bus Starting/ending at Langley Crescent Ashton Vale travelling onto Ashton Drive and join Anti- clockwise onto Silbury Road before joining Feeder Road and joining onto Winterstoke Road via the A370 Long Ashton Bypass. New Bus stop will be put on the corner of the start of Silbury Road and another stop further up opposite Ashton Vale Youth Club and Junction for the New Ashton Rise Development and Ashton vale Social Club.

Buses will run Approx.every 15 mins and only serve Silbury Road weekdays only. 

Community Drop-in session was carried out on Wednesday 14th August 2019 with Labour Councillor Mark Bradshaw attending.

The following Concerns were raised by the local community with no positive or helpful responses for local residents-

• Residents are concerned that the new route would no longer serve passed the arches on Ashton drive, meaning Elderly and the disabled would have to travel a much longer distance for the nearest bus stop on Winterstoke Road.
• That the new double decker buses would be impossible to travel along Silbury Road with cars parked on either side due to Ashton Vale School traffic, construction traffic for the Ashton Rise Development and Bristol city and Bristol rugby traffic.
• The New changes are being introduced because it would allow a economically friendly Bus to serve the route, however the new route would travel further out of the area to then join the normal route on Winterstoke Road adding at least an extra 20 minutes plus to the Journey rather then using a 5 minute journey along Ashton Drive previous. Especially with the ever growing congestion on the A370.
• Concerns with New Silbury Road Bus stop being opposite the Ashton Vale Youth club and the risk  of an accident to children leaving and being dropped off, same again with leaving Ashton Vale School.
• No resident parking available,especially those who will be impacted by the new bus stops many of which are elderly residents on Silbury Road, preventing access for careers and family and Emergency services.- My Neighbour is housebound and relies on Carers visits twice daily this would be impossible for her carers to park to be able to look after her.
• Drop-in session was only set up ONE DAY before as information had been leak on Bristol post website. This meant that majority of residents could not attend with such short notice.
• First Bus indicated that a double decker bus was required due to popular demand of route, however the 25 bus service that carried out a very similar route was discontinued only years previously.
• More thought need to be discussed on how to benefit the Ashton Vale community before removing current 24 route in place.

The information from the Drop-in session has indicated that First Bus have already made their minds up about the changes, so this is where you come in. Please sign this petition as its about time that First Bus listen to Bristol residents and Ashton Vale residents without having to suffer for the incompetency of First Bus and the lack of a reliable service.